One
Seedy Saidybah, a resident of Sukuta village in the West Coast Region and a
security officer at the State Intelligence Service yesterday told the court
that it was Babucarr Sallah and Tamba Mansary that took Solo Sandeng and Noghoi
Njie into custody after they were screened at the main gate of the defunct NIA
now (SIS) on April 14, 2016.

Seedy
Saidybah made this revelation whilst testifying before the court presided over
by Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara as the 14th prosecution witness in the ongoing
criminal trial involving the State against nine former officials of the defunct
NIA now SIS.

The
witness disclosed that on April 14, 2016, he was posted at the main gate of the
NIA where he worked on 24 hours.

The
witness further disclosed that on the fateful day, he was at the main gate with
PW13, Mbemba Camara whilst one Bala Gaye was posted at the back gate of the NIA
leading to the beach.

Seedy
Saidybah recalled that on the fateful day, he resumed for work around 8:00 a.m.
and closed at 8:00 a.m. on the 15th of April, 2016.

Seedy
Saidybah narrated that at around midday, he saw two NIA operation vehicles
arrived at the main gate of the NIA and he opened the gate and the vehicle
entered.

The
witness disclosed that the first vehicle brought four people and the second
vehicle brought three people and they were Solo Sandeng, Ebrima Jabang, Kafu
Bayo, Modou Ngum,Noghoi Njie, Fatoumatta Camara and Fatoumatta Jawara.

The
witness told the court that they were brought by one Baba Danso who asked him
to call his boss, James Mendy,( the chief security officer).

Seedy
Saidybah explained that after he called James Mendy. Babucarr Sallah and Tamba
Mansary arrived and informed him that they were taking Solo Sandeng and Noghoi
Njie inside.

The
witness told the court that Babucarr Sallah and Tamba Mansary informed Solo
Sandeng that he should leave his belongings as they were taking him inside.

The
witness explained that Solo Sandeng put his hands into pocket and took out
money, metholatum, roll-on spray, chewing stick.

The
witness revealed that he got to know the detainees’ names during screening,
noting that the detainees’ names and particulars were obtained and recorded in
the detainee book.

Seedy
Saidybah clarified that PW13; Mbemba Camara recorded the detainees’ names and
particulars.

The
witness testified that it was Babucarr Sallah and Tamba Mansary that took the
detainees inside.

Hearing
continues on the 16th and 23rd April, 2018 for continuation of evidence in
chief of Seedy Saidybah, the 14th prosecution witness.